Mintimer Shaimiev

Mintimer Shaimiev (20 January 1937-) was the President of Tatarstan from 12 June 1991 to 25 March 2010, preceding Rustam Minnikhanov.

Biography
Mintimer Shaimiev was born on 20 January 1937 in Anyakovo, Aktanyshsky District, Tatar ASSR in the Soviet Union. In 1959, he graduated from the Kazan Agricultural Institute, and in 1963 he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Shaimiev started his political career by holding public office within the Tatar ASSR, including Minister of Water, Deputy Chair of the Tatar Council of Ministers, and secretary of the Communist Party in Tatarstan. Under the Russian Federation, Shaimiev was the first President of Tatarstan, holding the office from 1991 to 2010. Shaimiev helped in forming the United Russia party, and he supported the government. In 2010, Shaimiev decided not to run for another term, as he wanted another generation to lead the republic.